ANTHROPOMETRIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG ELITE MALE HANDBALL PLAYERS ACCORDING TO PLAYING POSITIONS

Alexandra Cselkó
University of Pecs, Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Pecs, Hungary
University of Pecs, Department of Leisure Sports and Recreation, Pecs, Hungary
Zita László
University of Pecs, Department of Individual Sports, Pecs, Hungary
Éva Tékus
University of Pecs, Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Pecs, Hungary
University of Pecs, Department of Sportbiology, Pecs, Hungary
Márta Wilhelm
University of Pecs, Department of Leisure Sports and Recreation, Pecs, Hungary

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the anthropometric parameters and
cardiopulmonary functions of young handball players in different playing positions. 15 male
handball players from first division (mean age: 16.06±0.63 yrs) participated in our research who
were divided by their playing positions. First anthropometric parameters, body composition and
pulmonary functions in rest were measured. Then physiological changes of the players were tested
with Bruce protocol. We found that wings differed the most in morphological characteristics from
other players. We did not find significant differences in pulmonary functions among positions. The
highest values of Tidal volume in the vita maxima test were found in pivots (2.82±0.15 l) which
is significantly higher than Tidal volume of goalkeepers (p=0.006). The highest mean value of
maximal oxygen uptake was recorded (73.93±9.41 ml/kg/min) in wings. Altogether in our study
important differences were seen in physique and in performance also among young handball
players.